Protests Erupt Over Sachet Alcohol Ban in Nigeria

Protests against the ban on sachet alcohol intensified as members of the Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) stormed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) office, accusing the agency of failing to comply with a joint directive to suspend enforcement pending the full implementation of the national alcohol policy. NAFDAC dismissed these claims, stating it had not received formal instructions to halt enforcement and remained committed to public health.

FOBTOB's national vice president, West Kolawole, warned that continued enforcement would have significant consequences for employment across the value chain, potentially affecting 5.5 million jobs. Lanr Yusuf, the national deputy president of FOBTOB, criticized NAFDAC's inconsistency with the federal government's stance.

The agency's director general insisted that enforcement would continue without formal communication to suspend it. The national alcohol policy was approved by the federal ministry of health under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive.